Erin Shaw Street

Our entry in the Honors College Newsletter

Look, We Have Dogs!

This is a link to the PDF of the latest issue of "Aha!" (hmmm, perhaps they need an editorial consultant with a specialty in name changes), the official publication of the South Carolina Honors College. In other words, the place where I took such meaningful classes as:

Zoos and Biodiversity (aka, zoo field trips across the Southeast)
Religions of the African Diaspora
Anarchy: A Possible Solution

But I also got an English degree, and that's super useful, right?

On page 7, in "Class Notes," is our photo. 

Oh no, Cojo

Get Well Cojo!

My father sent me this link. We like Cojo a lot, and do not endorse how he was treated by our once beloved "Today" show. This is sad, but hopefully he can get a new kidney soon.

So tropical, like we are in Havana, not McCalla

Simple Mojito Mix

Stephanie visited this weekend and we had a great time. Our usual bargin shopping excursion didn't turn up any amazing finds, but that was OK, because we got to catch up and work our two musicals. Yeah, that's right, we have been writing a musical (cannot reveal details because it is so brilliant) that we came up with during our 2001 trip to Graceland. It's not about Elvis though.

Anyhow, we went to World Market and bought this mojito mix that I had been eyeing for a while. It's by a brand called Nantucket Off-Shore (hmm). I didn't know how a mojito in a bottle would taste, but we brought it home. Shane suggested using pineapple rum (cause that's what we had), and mixed up some delightful cocktails. All it takes is the rum, soda water and a little mint and lime and voila, you feel like you are in tropical Cuba. Did Che drink mojitos?

I don't know, but we liked sitting outside on the porch doing so. It was a good time.

It's So Not Getting Hot In Herre

The 80s Will Never Die At our wedding, the somewhat intoxicated DJ played Nelly's "Hot In Herre" approximately 456 times. That was actually OK, because most attendees were in the same mindframe as said DJ (who reportedly flew through the Jack and Coke, despite a strict 'no drinking' company policty). Anhow, no love lost, it was fun, and that was the summer song of 2004.

Jump to 2005.

We are watching NBC's "Hit Me Baby One More Time," in which has-been artists perform their (often one hit wonder) songs, and later perform a more current hit. Shane thinks it is brilliant, though he is repeatedly insulted to learn that groups like Flock of Seagulls and The Motels are no longer en vogue and haven't been in 20 years (sorry Shane).

(Sidenote: The host, Vernon Kay, pictured here, has the worst British accent and scariest, whitest teeth. Eeeeek!) So much good stuff about Vernon Kaaaaayyyyy!

So tonight Wang Chung performs, singining of course "Everybody Have Fun Tonight."  Pretty much standard fare. But their second song: "Hot In Herre."

Words can't express how bizarre, wonderful and exciting it was.

Wit Wiz

Pat's King of Steaks Winding down my time in Philadelphia. Bryan gave me the complete tour today, including a visit to Pat's King of Steaks, the ultimate cheesesteak destination. To order, you say:

"Steak wit Wiz," which means steak sandwich with CheeseWiz. They get mad if you take too long.

I loved it.

Putting the "Liberty" in the Bell

Philadelphia, PA --

In between my meeting sessions, I am taking in the sights of fabulous Philly. Actually it's not that fabulous, just completely random. Bryan pointed out this fact last night when we went out for dinner and walked around Center City. Women in business clothes with huge tattos on their arms and necks, an upscale Asian fusion restaurant patio with a man feeding pizza to his Whippet, a punk rock bar filled with yuppies ...

Today I walked to Independence Hall, which is more like a low-security prison with all of the security around its perimeter. You have to go through complex metal detectors to see the Liberty Bell (wow, smaller than I thought) and wind through a long line to get to the Hall. If you planned ahead (I didn't) you can tour the hallowed halls of history. I just got to to go the annex, where tour groups were taking pictures sitting in replicas of chairs near replicas of desks where our forefathers sat and thought really hard. Did get to see a few pages from a copy of the Declaration.

The most memorable part of the visit, though, was when I tried to exit the area by walking across a street. A federal security agent stopped me and said I couldn't exit there. I thought he was joking.

Me: What if I ask nicely?
Him: Did you go to college? Look at this sign (pinting to a small sign that says "no exit")
Me: Oh.
Him: This is a matter of federal security.
Me: Right (crossing 10 feet away at another street).

So much for freedom.

Guilty Pleasure I

It's All About the Hair People

"This new line could make me bigger than Vidal Sassoon ...."

-Jonathan Antin, hairdresser to the stars

There were so many good lines in the season premier of "Blowout" I couldn't sit still. Things like, "I love the smell of hair product in the morning," and scenes with a therapist talking about the pressure of hair.

I had no idea this tremendous value of a show was coming back for a second season, but boy am I pleased.

And trying to figure out how I can become a celebrity hairdresser -- $5,000 for a house call?

You Win A Tony, But Can't Get a Good Seamstress?

If there is one thing that bothers me about today's evening wear, it is the disturbing trend of women pulling and tugging on their otherwise lovely strapless dress.

We've all seen it at far too many weddings and other strapless dress wearing occasions. Pretty people who haven't visited the seamstress and subsequently, feel compelled to adjust their dress every three seconds.

Case in point: At tonight's Tony Awards, winner Sara Ramirez ("Spamalot"), had no shame in pulling at the bodice of her dress, starting with the moment her name was going to be called. Not in a subtle way either -- it was a full-on blatant adjustment in front of the Tony audience and viewers at home.

The awkward twisting and pulling continued as she, less than gracefully, stumbled toward the stage in a dress at least three sizes too small.

I was mortified for her and had to look away as she got up on stage and continued the hiking of the dress, as if she were a 16-year old going to homecoming in an ill-fitting J.C. Penny number. So, so tragic.

Principal plagarism?

Plagarism? But it was such a great speech.
Right.

The pinnacle of adulthood

When I was a child, I thought that the best thing about adulthood was the freedom to go to the grocery and buy whatever I wanted.

As an adult, I realized today that that is pretty much the best thing about the whole deal.

Purchases = 1 bottle of merlot, one bottle of  chardonnay, one box of cheez-itz (buffalo wing/blue cheese flavored twits), one bag of lime seasoned tortilla chips

I was literally giddy thinking of the pleasure. Not one banana or peace of legitimate meat. Just wine and high-calorie snacks. So good.